How is conflict handled in your congregation? How can ministry leaders respond to conflict in ways that strengthen faith and community? Participants grappled with these questions, and many others, at the 2017 Mid-Winter Convocation Feb. 1-3 at Luther Seminary.
Conflict emerged as a focal point of the theme, “Translating the Reformation: Table Talks Today.” The term “table talks” refers to the published record of lively discussions that Martin Luther hosted around his table in Wittenberg, Germany, nearly 500 years ago.
The event featured four conversations between Luther Seminary faculty members and ministry practitioners. These plenaries are available to watch on demand on YouTube:
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- Lois Malcolm & Scott Richards: “Why Christian? And Why Lutheran?”
In this session, Sarah Ruch (@outofthepulpit) tweeted: “A reminder from Pr. Scott Richards, ‘the margin is always at the center of God’s work.’ #LSconvo2017 #GospelTruth”
- Lois Malcolm & Scott Richards: “Why Christian? And Why Lutheran?”
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- Matt Skinner & Hollie Holt-Woehl: “When God’s Promises Meet People: Conflict in the Church”
Presenters explored conflict in the early church (Acts 15) and challenged participants to pay attention to how conflict can clarify theology. “What might help you to face differences and conflicts in the congregation?”
- Matt Skinner & Hollie Holt-Woehl: “When God’s Promises Meet People: Conflict in the Church”
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- Mary Hess & Keith Anderson: “Now You See It: Table Talk in the Digital Age”
Presenters drew on Parker Palmer’s work on healing the heart of democracy. They showed how leaders can get out of the “bubble” of self-reinforcing messages/newsfeeds that skew our perspective, and learn how to value otherness.
- Mary Hess & Keith Anderson: “Now You See It: Table Talk in the Digital Age”
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- Patrick Keifert & Greg Van Dunk: “Confusion, Distancing or Fusing: Table Talk to Form Christian Communities Today”
“‘Conflict is the way the Holy Spirit invites the church to multiply its ministry.’ – Pat Keifert” tweeted Carrie Smisek (@carriechameleon)
- Patrick Keifert & Greg Van Dunk: “Confusion, Distancing or Fusing: Table Talk to Form Christian Communities Today”
Worship gathered participants around three concepts—Abundance, Resurrection and New Creation—with sermons (also available for on-demand viewing) by these Luther Seminary faculty: Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker and Dirk Lange.
Eleven workshops covered a constellation of topics—including theological education, reconciliation, social media, mental illness and social criticism—all relating to the Reformation and its impact on present-day church and society. Bev Mello, a staff member at Lord of Life Lutheran in Maple Grove, Minn., said: “The three workshops I attended were fabulous! The mental health workshop validated that our congregation is on the right track for awareness, support and erasing stigma within the faith community.”